ATLANTA (WXIA) – Georgia prison inmates running drug and identity theft rings, and even ordering hits on so-called snitches. The U.S. Attorney says it is a major problem, but announced 12 indictments on Thursday.
The big problem? Cell phones.
Law enforcement officials say they have confiscated 1,000 cell phones since July, and 7,000 last year, but inmates continue to obtain them and use them to commit crimes.
They phones were on display on Thursday as the U.S. Attorney's office announced the indictment of 12 people – a combination of inmates, parolees, civilians and two prison employees. One of the employees was a kitchen worker, the other a corrections officer.
According to the indictment, the charged GDOC employees allegedly helped smuggle methamphetamine, prescription pain medication, marijuana, liquor, tobacco, and take-out food into the prisons. The inmates allegedly even bragged about watching streaming movies while in solitary confinement. In one instance, an inmate allegedly used his contraband cell phone to arrange a "hit" on another inmate whom he suspected of cooperating with law enforcement, according to a news release from U.S. Attorney John A. Horn.
The inmates allegedly sold the items in prison and used the phones to steal identities from innocent victims in Cobb and Gwinnett counties.
"When violent felons can continue to carry on their criminal enterprises from inside prisons, it's a significant public danger," said J. Britt Johnson, FBI Special Agent in Charge in the Atlanta Field Office.
Prison officials were on hand for Thursday's news conference, and they admitted they have a huge problem on their hands and say it is a nationwide problem.
The following information is from the news release from U.S. Attorney Horn:
Former GDOC employees who were charged are:
· Anekra Artina Williams, 20, of Nashville, Georgia, was a GDOC guard at Valdosta State Prison, in Valdosta, Georgia. Williams has been charged with one count of conspiring to distribute at least 50 grams of methamphetamine; one count of distributing methamphetamine; and one count of conspiring to interfere with commerce by extortion.
· Charonda Edwards, a/k/a "John," 29, of Decatur, Georgia, was a kitchen worker at Phillips State Prison, in Buford, Georgia. Edwards has been charged with one count of conspiring to distribute methamphetamine and marijuana; and one count of interfering with commerce by extortion.
The current GDOC inmates who were charged are:
· Donald Howard Hinley, 51, was an inmate at Valdosta State Prison prior to his arrest, has been charged with one count of conspiring to distribute at least 50 grams of methamphetamine; one count of distributing at least 50 grams of methamphetamine; and three counts of distributing methamphetamine.
· Mims Morris, 24, who was an inmate at Phillips State Prison prior to his arrest, has been charged with one count of conspiring to distribute methamphetamine and marijuana; two counts of conspiring to commit wire fraud; two counts of committing wire fraud; and two counts of aggravated identity theft.
· Johnathan Silvers, a/k/a "Turtle," 28, who was an inmate at Phillips State Prison prior to his arrest, has been charged with one count of conspiring to distribute methamphetamine and marijuana.
· Adam Smith, 30, who was an inmate at Phillips State Prison prior to his arrest, has been charged with one count of conspiring to distribute methamphetamine and marijuana.
The paroled GDOC inmates who were charged are:
· Ruben Ruiz, a/k/a "Flaco" and "Scrappy," 34, of Gainesville, Georgia, has been charged with one count of conspiring to distribute at least 50 grams of methamphetamine. Ruiz was paroled in March 2014 from GDOC custody after serving a 10-year sentence.
· William A. Matthews, a/k/a "Two Young," 30, of Union City, Georgia, has been charged with one count of conspiring to distribute at least 50 grams of methamphetamine; and one count of distributing methamphetamine. Matthews was paroled in August 2014 from GDOC custody after serving a 10-year sentence.
· Kansas Bertollini, a/k/a "Guido," 35, of Kathleen, Georgia, has been charged with one count of conspiring to distribute at least 50 grams of methamphetamine; and one count of distributing at least 50 grams methamphetamine. Bertollini was paroled in June 2014 from GDOC custody after serving an 11-year sentence.
The other individuals who were charged are:
· Tiffany Allen, 27, of Cleveland, Georgia, has been charged with two counts of conspiring to commit wire fraud; and two counts of aggravated identity theft.
· Monique Kinney, a/k/a Monique Reed, 26, of Augusta, Georgia. Kinney was charged with one count of conspiring to commit wire fraud; and one count of aggravated identity theft.
· Opal Marie Hayden, 58, of Acworth, Georgia, has been charged with one count of conspiring to distribute at least 50 grams of methamphetamine; and three counts of distributing methamphetamine.
